# 1. David and Revenge

> When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.

> — 1 Samuel 24:1-3 (ESV)

> 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ ”

> — 1 Samuel 24:4 (ESV)

**Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. **

> 5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

> — 1 Samuel 24:5-7 (ESV)

# 2. David and Justice

> 8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 12 May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

> — 1 Samuel 24:8-14 (ESV)

# 3. David and Vindication

> 16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.

> — 1 Samuel 24:16 (ESV)

> 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

> — 1 Samuel 24:17-19 (ESV)

> 20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22 And David swore...

# 1. Through His Word

> Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David's men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

> — 1 Samuel 23:1-5 (ESV)

> When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand.

> — 1 Samuel 23:6 (ESV)

> Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”

> — 1 Samuel 23:7 (ESV)

> 8 And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 9 David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” 10 Then David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. 11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition. 14 And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

> — 1 Samuel 23:8-13 (ESV)

> By using this oracle you agree that your doing so at your own risk. Authors will not be responsible for any choices based on advices from this oracle. Informations displayed within this site are not necessarily based on facts.

> A contemporary believer may say, “I see that, and its all very nice, but I don’t receive the kind of precise, direct guidance that David did.” Neither do I. Because I don’t need it. I’m not the chosen King. It does my ego no damage to concede that David’s function in salvation history is far more crucial than mine. The fortunes of the kingdom of Yahweh in this world rest far more on David’s preservation than on mine. What was essential for Yahweh’s elect king to have he received. For me, it is not so essential. But in principle there is no difference between this elect king and myself. In what context was Yahweh’s guidance given? Was it not in access to God through the appointed priest? And is that not the privilege I enjoy? Through a much greater one than Abiathar? What, after all, does Hebrews 4:14-16 mean? “Since we have a great high priest”, we come to the throne of grace and find grace “for help at just the right time.” Knowing whether Saul will come down to Keilah ...

# 1. Sin Blinds

# 2. Sin Destroys

# 3. Sin Brings Unintended Consequences

**We escape from the clutches of sin and the guilt of regret by running to the refuge of Christ.

**

> With my voice I cry out to the Lord;

> with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.

> I pour out my complaint before him;

> I tell my trouble before him.

> When my spirit faints within me,

> you know my way!

> In the path where I walk

> they have hidden a trap for me.

> Look to the right and see:

> there is none who takes notice of me;

> no refuge remains to me;

> no one cares for my soul.

> I cry to you, O Lord;

> I say, “You are my refuge,

> my portion in the land of the living.”

> Attend to my cry,

> for I am brought very low!

> Deliver me from my persecutors,

> for they are too strong for me!

> Bring me out of prison,

> that I may give thanks to your name!

> The righteous will surround me,

> for you will deal bountifully with me.

> — Psalm 142 (ESV)

**We escape from the clutches of sin and the guilt of regret by running to the refuge of Christ.

**

> If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

> — 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

> Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

> — Romans 5:1 (ESV)

> But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

> — Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

# 1. Desperation and Provision

> And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath

> — 1 Samuel 17:4

# 2. Where is God in this picture?

**What Does David Know That’s TRUE?**

> Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;

> all day long an attacker oppresses me;

> my enemies trample on me all day long,

> for many attack me proudly.

> When I am afraid,

> I put my trust in you.

> In God, whose word I praise,

> in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

> What can flesh do to me?

> All day long they injure my cause;

> all their thoughts are against me for evil.

> They stir up strife, they lurk;

> they watch my steps,

> as they have waited for my life.

> For their crime will they escape?

> In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

> You have kept count of my tossings;

> put my tears in your bottle.

> Are they not in your book?

> Then my enemies will turn back

> in the day when I call.

> This I know, that God is for me.

> In God, whose word I praise,

> in the LORD, whose word I praise,

> in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

> What can man do to me?

> I must perform my vows to you, O God;

> I will render thank offerings to you.

> For you have delivered my soul from death,

> yes, my feet from falling,

> that I may walk before God

> in the light of life.

> — Psalm 56 (ESV)

# 3. Jesus – the Provision in our Desperation

> I will bless the LORD at all times;

> his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

> My soul makes its boast in the LORD;

> let the humble hear and be glad.

> Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

> and let us exalt his name together!

> I sought the LORD, and he answered me

> and delivered me from all my fears.

> Those who look to him are radiant,

> and their faces shall never be ashamed.

> This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him

> and saved him out of all his troubles.

> The angel of the LORD encamps

> around those who fear him, and delivers them.

> Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!

> Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

> Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,

> for those who fear him have no lack!

> The young lions suffer want and hunger;

> but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

> Come, O children, listen to me;

> I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

> What man is there who desires life

> and loves many days, that he may see good?

> Keep your tongue from evil

> and your lips from speaking deceit.

> Turn away from evil and do good;

> seek peace and pursue it.

> The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous

> and his ears toward their cry.

> The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

> to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

> When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears

> and delivers them out of all their troubles.

> The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

> and saves the crushed in spirit.

> Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

> but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

> He keeps all his bones;

> not one of them is broken.

> Affliction will slay the wicked,

> and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

> The LORD redeems the life of his servants;

> none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

> — P...

> When it comes down to it, what holds your ultimate allegiance?

# Scene 1 – The Plan is Made

# Scene 2 – The Covenant is Reaffirmed

# Scene 3 - The Plan Unfolds

> 18 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

> — 1 Samuel 18:1-3 (ESV)

# Scene 4 – The Results Are In

> Where does your ultimate allegiance in life lie? And how would you know?

## 1. Allegiance Determines Actions

> “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

> — John 14:15 (ESV)

> If allegiance determines actions, then every action you take in every day life reveals who or what is holding your ultimate loyalty.

## 2. Allegiance Generates Afflictions

> 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

> — Luke 14:26 (ESV)

> For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

> — Luke 9:26 (ESV)

> We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

> — 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (ESV)

## 3. Allegiance Produces Affections

> So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

> — Matthew 7:12 (ESV)

> “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

> — Matthew 22:36-39 (ESV)

> And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

> But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

> -- Luke 10:25-29 (ESV)

> He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

> — Luke 10:37 (ESV)

> Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

> — Romans 8:8-10 (ESV)

> For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

> — Galatians 5:14 (ESV)

> Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

> — Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

> If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

> — James 2:8 (ESV)

> You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

> — Leviticus 19:18 (ESV)

* Sacrifice

* Priesthood

* Exclusion

* Demands

* Time

* Hope

* Sacrifice

* Priest

* Reconciliation

* Life

* Redemption + Inheritance

## What is this buried treasure worth to you?

> For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named

> — Ephesians 3:14–15 (ESV)

# 1. Heights We Can Rise To

## Gaining Inner Strength

> that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

> — Ephesians 3:16–17a (ESV)

## Grasping Christ’s Love

> that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

> — Ephesians 3:17–19 (ESV)

> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

> — John 3:16 (ESV)

> The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

> — Revelation 22:17 (ESV)

## Glorying in God’s Fullness

> that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

> — Ephesians 3:19 (ESV)

> Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

> — Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)

# 2. Hurts We Must Run From

> But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

> — Revelation 2:4–7 (ESV)

# 3. Helps We Can Rely On

> His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

> — 2 Peter 1:3–8 (ESV)